For Immediate Release
Contact: Kristen Butler, [email protected], 850-681-0416
NFIB Opposes Liquor Store Separation Legislation
February 17, 2015, Tallahassee – The National Federation of Independent Business/Florida, as part of its 2015 Legislative Priorities announced last week, is opposing efforts to allow the sale of hard liquor inside grocery and retail chains.
“For decades, small independent liquor stores have been successfully operating in shopping centers across Florida alongside anchor stores like Walmart,” said Bill Herrle, NFIB/Florida Executive Director. “But now, under the guise of reducing government, these mega retailers are pushing efforts to gain a competitive advantage over the smaller retailers, essentially attempting to push them out of the marketplace.”
This proposal is included in House Bill 107 by Rep. Greg Steube, House Bill 499 by Rep. John Wood and Senate Bill 468 by Sen. Denise Grimsley. HB 107 will come before the House Business and Professions Subcommittee tomorrow, Wednesday February 18.
“This is a classic example of big business trampling on the little guy – small independent liquor stores simply would not survive,” Herrle said. “Anything that threatens to force small businesses to lay off workers and close up shop is in contradiction of the strong job climate we’ve created in Florida. NFIB opposes this effort to give superstores an overwhelmingly unfair advantage that jeopardizes the livelihood of independent retailers.”
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